The Solar Impulse 2 trip around the world

[sn26567]

Solar Impulse 2 is now again in "Mission Mode", ready to take off at any time and waiting for the first favourable weather window to fly from Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast and Phoenix, Arizona.

[galaxy]

Bertrand Piccard will takeoff on April 21nd at 3PM UTC

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=553 ... 6edfae1f33

[sn26567]

Bertrand Piccard will takeoff on April 21nd at 3PM UTC

Bertrand Piccard resumes the Mission: takeoff from Hawaii for Leg 9 round-the-world

Like the rising sun, the Solar Impulse 2 airplane rose from the tarmac at Kalaeloa Airport with Bertrand Piccard in the cockpit. However, just like the setting sun, it grew smaller and smaller, disappearing in the distance. Bertrand Piccard took off from Kalaeloa Airport with Si2 at 4:15PM UTC, 6:15PM CET, 9:15AM PT for a journey that is expected to last 59 hours until landing at Moffett Airfield in Mountain View, California, USA.

Live on: http://www.solarimpulse.com/leg-9-from- ... in_View_CA

[sn26567]

Si2 passed the Point of No Return!

After 8 and a half hours since take-off, Si2 has passed the Point of No Return at 00:47 UTC. This is the moment where we can say for certain that Si2 will not turn back to Hawaii but instead be moving towards its destination: Moffett Airfield, Mountain View, California.

[sn26567]

Turning back to Hawaii? No, remember the point of no return has been passed. But in-flight turns help align Si2’s solar cells for maximum recharge efficiency.

[sn26567]

Bertrand Piccard and the Solar Impulse 2 have completed more than 75% of the distance between Hawaii and the US West Coast. California is in view!

[Apuneger]

Already quite an achievement...

[galaxy]

The speed & altitude graph. indicates so far a max. altitude of 29229 ft and a max. speed of 116 kts.
At that max. altitude , i wonder how many energy they need of the batteries for heating the cockpit.

[sn26567]

Si2 has completed the Pacific Crossing!

Bertrand Piccard just pushed through the night sky, gently kissing the runway with a smooth landing at Moffett Airfield, Mountain View, California (near San Francisco) at 6:44AM UTC, 8:44AM CET on April 24th, and 11:44PM PT on April 23rd. He left Kalaeloa Airport at 4:15PM UTC, 6:15PM CET, 6:15AM PT on April 21st for a flight that lasted a total of 62 hours. This flight marked both the completion of the Pacific Crossing that André Borschberg initiated last July and the continuation of the round-the-world solar flights.

Shortly before landing, Si2 flew over the Golden Gate bridge:

[DIBO]

...i wonder how many energy they need of the batteries for heating the cockpit.

cockpit is unheated

[galaxy]

...i wonder how many energy they need of the batteries for heating the cockpit.

cockpit is unheated

" The high-tech pilot
suit includes heated soles and gloves,
and underwear that stimulates blood
circulation."
http://info.solarimpulse.com/tadmin/fil ... G_2015.pdf

[sn26567]

BREAKING NEWS: Andre Borschberg will take off May 2nd at 12:00PM UTC from Moffett Airfield to Phoenix

After a week of rest at Moffett Airfield, Mountain View, California, Si2 is ready for the next adventure with André Borschberg. André will take off on May 2nd at 12:00PM UTC, 2:00PM CET, 5:00AM PT to continue the round-the-world solar flights across America. A clear weather window was found that will bring Si2 over the Mojave Desert to Phoenix Goodyear Airport. This will take an estimated 16 hours, crossing over 720 miles.

[sn26567]

André Borschberg initiates the Crossing of America!

When the first morning light broke the night sky, André Borschberg lifted from the tarmac to welcome the morning. Si2 took-off at 12:03PM UTC, 2:03PM CET, 5:03AM PT on May 2nd for a journey that is expected to last 16 hours and 23 minutes until landing in Phoenix Goodyear Airport, Arizona, USA.

This marks the first Solar Impulse 2 flight across the North American continent, attempting to finally reach New York.

[sn26567]

André Borschberg softly landed on the warm Phoenix Goodyear Airport tarmac at 3:55AM UTC, 5:55AMCET on May 3rd, and at 8:55PMMST on May 2nd. He left 15 hours and 52 minutes before from Moffett Airfield, California where Si2 had been resting for a week after Bertrand Piccard’s 62 hour and 29 minute flight from Hawaii. This flight marks the first flight on the North American continent with Si2, reminding the team of our memories from the Across America tour with Solar Impulse 1 back in 2013.

[sn26567]

The next destination after Phoenix was still undecided until recently. It had to be decided according to weather conditions and other factors, and it would probably be a sudden decision. The answer came today: BREAKING NEWS: Bertrand Piccard will fly tomorrow from Phoenix to Tulsa (Oklahoma)! Takeoff 10AM UTC.

[sn26567]

Bertrand Piccard took off to Tulsa, Oklahoma!

The Solar Impulse 2 airplane rose from the warm tarmac at Phoenix Goodyear Airport with Bertrand Piccard at the controls. Direction: Tulsa International Airport. He took off from Arizona at 10:05 AM UTC, 12:05 PM CET, 3:05 AM local time for a journey that is expected to last 17 hours and 50 minutes until landing in Oklahoma.

Watch the flight live: http://solarimpulse.us3.list-manage2.co ... 02822833fe

[sn26567]

Bertrand Piccard landed in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Bertrand Piccard landed on the tarmac at the Tulsa International Airport at 4:15 AM UTC, 6:15 AM CET on May 13th and 11:15 PM local time on May 12th. He left Phoenix Goodyear Airport at 10:05 AM UTC, 12:05 PM CET, 3:05 AM local time on May 12th for a flight that lasted a total of 18 hours and 10 minutes. This flight has brought the Solar Impulse 2 to the heart of the United States, continuing the round-the-world solar flights.

[sn26567]

André Borschberg will takeoff to Dayton, Ohio on May 21st at 9:00 AM UTC

André Borschberg will takeoff for the third leg of the crossing of the USA with Si2 from Tulsa International Airport to Dayton International Airport on May 21st at 9:00 AM UTC, 11:00 AM CET, 4:00 AM CDT. After one week in stormy Tulsa, Oklahoma, the mission engineers in Monaco have found a clear flight path giving way for an 18-hour flight to reach the very city where the Wright Brothers completed the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered aircraft. The objective is still to reach New York as soon as possible!

[sn26567]

André Borschberg just took off to Dayton, Ohio!

The Solar Impulse 2 airplane rose from the cool tarmac at Tulsa International Airport with André Borschberg in the cockpit. Direction: Dayton International Airport. He took off from Tulsa, Oklahoma at 9:22 AM UTC, 11:22 AM CET, 4:22 AM local time for a journey that is expected to last 17 hours and 30 minutes until reaching his destination.

This flight continues the attempt to complete the first round-the-world solar flight. 

[sn26567]

André Borschberg just landed in Dayton, Ohio!

Si2 just landed on the runway at Dayton International Airport at 1:56 AM UTC,3:56 AM CET on May 22nd and 9:56 PMEDT on May 21st. It left Tulsa International Airport at 9:22 AM UTC,11:22 AM CET, 4:22 AM CDT on May 21st for a flight that lasted a total of 16 hours and 34 minutes. This flight has brought us back in time to the beginning of powered aviation, continuing the round-the-world solar flights.